Improvement in treadles for sewing-machines



C. F. GLGUGH & l. B. LINCOLN.

Treadles for Sewing-Machines.

No. 137,179, PatentedMar ch25,1873.

AM mom "LiTHOGRAPH/C an. N. m'asaomm's P1700553) UNITED STATES PATENT Qrrron;

CHARLES F. GLOUGH AND JESSE B. LINCOLN, OF PROVIDENCE, R. I.; SAID OLOUGH ASSIGNOR TO WHIPPLE V. PHILLIPS, OF GREENE, R. I.

IMPROVEMENT IN TREADLES FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 137,179, dated March 25, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES F. CLOUGH and JESSE B. LINCOLN, both of the city and county of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sewing-Machine Treadles.

Our invention consists in the novel combination, with a treadle of substantially the ordi; nary construction, or with a rocker-plate especially adapted thereto, of foot-plates, each of which is longitudinally adjustable with relation to the fulcrum of the treadle so that both feet may operate with motionless heels or with motionless toes, or so that both heels and toes may move, or so that the heel of one foot and the toe of the other may remain motionless while the treadle is being operated, whereby the operative may at pleasure vary working the position of either or both of the foot-plates, and thus relieve, in a great measure, the tiresome labor attending the continuous operation of the treadle by, the feet while occupying a certain set or fixed position, as is the case with the ordinary treadle, and we do hereby declare that the following specification, taken in connection with the drawing furnished and forming a part of the same, is

a clear and true descriptionof a treadle embodyin g our invention.

- Referring to the drawing, Figure 1 represents in side elevation a sewing machine stand provided with a treadle embodying our invention. Fig. 2 represents in plan View ranged to embrace the rod in a manner well known. When so constructed collars on the rod may be used to confine the rocker-plate.

within certain desired limits. As represented in the drawing, the rocker plate has a concave upper surface. E denotes the footplates. In outline they are intentionally made to generally correspond with the form of the human foot, and are also curved on the upper surface after the manner of treadles generally, and may or may not be provided with the ordinary toe-strap. Each of the foot-plates is provided with a central longitudinal slot, K, through which setscrews I pass and engage with the rocker-plate D. As shown in the drawing, the lower or under side of the foot-plates are convex to correspond with the concavity of the rocker-plate, in order that, as the foot-plates are advanced or withdrawn, they will always be set in the arc of the circle corresponding with the curv ature. This construction while desirable is not absolutely essential. Either foot-plate may be advanced or withdrawn from the fulcrum to any desired position, and secured in place by its set-screw. By this means the treadle can be so arranged that the feet of the operative may both be employed successively while occupying respectively different positions with relation to the fulcrum of the treadle; or, in other words, the treadle may be operated wholly with the toes of the operator, wholly by the heels, or with both heels and both toes, or the heel of one foot and the toe of the other foot.

Although the foot-plates and the rockerplates are herein represented as if specially adapted for each other, the foot-plates may be obviously made so as to be readily attached to any ordinary rocking treadle, it only being essential that the means of connection between the two shall admit of the longitudinal adjustment of the foot-plates on a line at right angles to the line of the fulcrum.

We are aware that foot-plates have been heretofore so constructed that they were not absolutely unchan geable with relation to their fulcrums. We are not aware, however, that prior to our invention any foot-plates were ever so constructed that they could be so changed that they could be operated with the 2. The combination of a concave faced great variety of movement of which our imrocker-plate with foot-plates, which have a proved treadle is capable. convex bearing-surface fitted t0 the rocker- Having thus described our invention, we plate and adjustable thereon, substantially as claim as new and desire to secure by Letters described.

Patent- CHARLES F. GLOUGH.

1. The combination of a rocker-plate with J. B. LINCOLN foot-plates, which are adjustable with relation to the fulcrum, as described, whereby 'Witnesses:

the treadle may be operated with variety of THOMAS C. GoNNoLLY,

movement as and for the purposes specified. OSCAR 0. Fox. 

